Treatments Plan Options

• Lifestyle changes: We always start with the simplest solutions. It may be as simple as drinking more water, adding a humidifier, different eye makeup remover or better sunglasses.

• OTC medications & nutritional supplements: There are many useful and cost-effective artificial tears and over-the-counter Dry Eye Drops like Refresh and Systane. Some patients also see improvements by adding a Nutritional Supplement like ProOmega 2000. Simple in-home treatments like a moist heat compress can also bring relief.

• Prescription medications: Some effective medications like the inflammation reducer Xiidra require a prescription. Once we complete a complete dry eye assessment, we can determine if one of these prescription drops is best for you.

• Punctal plugs: A small sterile device inserted into your tear ducts to prevent drainage and keep more tears in the eye.

• Low Level Light Therapy (3LT or LLLT): LLLT is a non-invasive, pain and stress-free treatment of periocular inflammatory conditions. No gel is required and the entire periocular area is treated using direct and indirect Photobiomodulation, during the typical 15-minute application.

• Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL): Depending on the severity of meibomian gland dysfunction, IPL, also known by brand names EyeLight, Lumines, Optilight and Epi-C Plus, may be the most effective patient option. IPL is a dry eye treatment that addresses the root cause of most dry eye issues: meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

• Treatments Not Offered: LipiFlow®, also known as thermal pulsation, is an older mechanical technology aimed specifically at mild MGD-related evaporative dry eye that we do not utilize.